Sarez Lake
Natural, Water bodies, Lake
Known as a sleeping dragon or a piece of blue jewellery -the famous Sarez Lake is located in Eastern part of the Pamirs, divided between Rushan, and Murgab districts of the GBAO The length of the lake is 55.8 km. It is an absolute surface height of 3,263 m; maximum width of 3.3 km, and a maximum depth of 500 m. The geographical coordinates of the Lake Sarez are 38°12′06″N 72°45′27″E.
Over the years the level of the water and the length of the lake had increased, which made Sarez both a huge reservoir for a fresh a clean water in Central Asia, a natural damb, and one of the most hazardous sites in Central Asia. Since its appearance, the lake has received the attention of geologists, geographers, naturalists, international and local tourists, visitors. Several factors, such as a) legends related to its appearance; b) the hazardous nature of the lake; and c) its continuous exploration.
Lake Sarez appeared as a result of the powerful earthquake in February 1911. As a result of this earthquake a huge rock slide blocked the flow of the river of Murgab. The earthquake had also destroyed the beautiful and agriculturally rich village of Usoi with its 302 population. The lake which appeared as a result of the blockage of the river Murgab, gradually reached from Usol to the village of Sarez. By the fall 1911, the emerged lake covered the village of Sarez, forcing its inhabitants to migrate to the other villages in neighboring Bartang, and Ghund valley. The name of the lake comes from the village of Sarez, which was swollen by the lake that appeared as a result of the earthquake.
Travelling to the Site
Several routes are leading to Sarez lake. The first and most popular route starts from the village of the Barchidev village in Upper Bartang. The automobile road stops at this villages, and from there a trek needs to be taken to the Sarez lake. Normally it takes 9-10 hours to trek to reach the vast Usoi, which blocks the flow of the Murgab river. From Usoi dam visitors can watch the sleeping beauty or ‘dragon’, continue their journey by hiking through Marjanai pass to Irkht, where meteorological station is located. They can also use the boat to cross the lake or stay at night camping at the shore of the river. They can also continue trek further up along Langar river to Wukhinch (name of the pasture) and pass long the Uchkul (three lakes) and over Langar pass or Chapdarkul lake, and reach at the Bulunkul, and to Bachor, the villages of Shugnan district. The second hiking or climbing route to Sarez can be taken by lovers of adventure and trekkers from Bulunkul, Bachor or Bardara villages. This trekking road merge at Langar village and goes to Wykhinch (name of the pasture). From there the route descends to Irkht and Sarez lake. The third and very least used route comes from the Murgab side along the river Murgab that leads This route from Murgab was in use when Sarez and Usoi were flourishing villages.